2001 Kia Rio: airbag warning light

Filed Nov 28, 2006 · Acceleration, Electrical · FL

01 rio is a lemon & safety hazard. Many major repairs done including the timing belt & valves rebuilt, new cooling system, both control arms & boots. Wheel defect recently recalled caused excess wear/ tear on control arms, boots, alignment, tires, costing thousands of avoidable repairs. Fuel intake did come lose, nearly causing an engine fire due to defective part which was recalled. It continuously misfires, engine knocks, stalls. Ecm was recalled but didn't fix the problem. Replaced spark plugs & wires (3 times in 6 months), ignition coil, sensors (oxygen, knock, crankshaft, temp). It stops for a 1-2 days, then comes back. Annoying & dangerous. Also has acceleration problem. At times, it won't go over 40 MPH & also accelerates by itself. Brakes have completely failed, though there's no crack in the line, no leaking fluid. The car is a complete lemon. Online, there are hundreds of similar complaints. Dealers are aware but conveniently can't seem to diagnose the problems especially misfiring. Consumers get nickel & dimed doing needless repairs that don't fix the problem. The optima had similar problems w/crankshaft pos. Sensor which was recalled, but dealer denies any relation to problems with the rio. Another problem - lack of availability & high cost of parts. Its bait/switch to sell a car with known problems, then guess at needless repairs & sell parts at an astronomical markup. It's cheap to buy, but repair costs make it very expensive. Research shows misfiring/engine knock has also LED to engine fires. Also problems with air bags. My airbag light has been on since purchased, but dealer has yet to fix it. Also door locking problems, people being locked in vehicles. My drivers door locks by itself (manual locks). In case of engine fire or accident, a lock malfunction could cause unnecessary death/injury. These are known problems with hundreds of complaints, yet kia has done nothing to address them. The 01 rio is a lemon and safety hazard.

Filed Apr 24, 2006 · Airbags, Engine · MI

Purchased car, 2001 kia rio, in october of 2000. Within a few days airbag light came on. This occurred several times over a one year period and had to be taken back to dealer for repair at least four times. Recall was received for fuel system. This was replaced without problem. Next problem occurred with wheels, which was also a recall. I had to order the wheels which took at least a month to come in leaving me to drive to and from work, 65 miles each way, on violently vibrating wheels. Wheels were finally replaced. Problem occurred in winter 2005 with door latch. Driver side door would lock and stay locked. Vehicle was taken to original dealer for repair only to have old part repaired while being charged for new part and labor. Within a few days, door latch failed again. Took vehicle to another dealer who ordered new part. In the meantime I waited for part to arrive, and drove around in a car whose door didn't lock, leaving my car prey to thieves, who stole things constantly from me. Finally this was fixed but, the passenger side door lock did the same thing. I look the car back to the dealer who told me that they could not fix it since my warranty was up and to fix it would cost me $700 or more. I've also noticed a problem with the car stalling in traffic. This is a new problem. Example: I stop to get gas, start the car and turn out into traffic and the car shuts down. During the winter of 2005 while waiting for door locks to come in, my driver side wheel bearing went out. This was repaired but subsequently the next day after repair while driving into work, wheel bearing literally crumbled. Had car towed to dealer who informed me that an old part was mistakenly put back on the car. This was repaired and replaced with a new part. These are all safety and quality control issues.

Filed Sep 14, 2005 · Airbags, Brakes · 20,000 miles · NJ

Dt: the consumer stated that the 2001 kia rio had the air bag light on the dashboard. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, but it was not checked for the air bag light. The consumer said that the dealer did a visual check. The tires were prematurely worn out. The consumer specifically said it was because of the wheel recall 50v159000 that the tires were replaced. Front and rear brakes have had to be replaced also at 20,000 miles. *ak updaed

Filed Dec 1, 2004 · Airbags · 25,000 miles · NJ

Air bag light comes on and will stay on for a long period of time and go off. Dealer made the repairs and it is still defective.

Filed Nov 28, 2003 · Airbags, Seat belts · CA

While driving airbag light illuminated. Took vehicle to dealer, who stated that air bags were inoperable, and would not deploy. Air bag module needed to be replaced. Also, rear seat belt on driver's side did not operate properly, half of the belt was torn .

Filed Nov 18, 2003 · Airbags · 54,000 miles · CA

While driving air bag warning lightappeared on the dashboard intermittently.

Filed Mar 7, 2003 · Airbags · 200 miles · TX

The air bag light illuminated, and never went off, the dealer stated nothing was wrong.

Filed Nov 26, 2002 · Airbags · NC

While driving the airbag light illuminated and stayed on. Took to dealer and the dealer replaced the combination switch. Airbag light has illuminated again. Consumer states' the fix for the airbag is not working. Please describe further. Ts

Filed Sep 6, 2002 · Airbags, Body · NY

Engine check light comes on repeatedly with cause unknown. The only corrective action dealership did was to change a code in the vehicle's computer system. Faulure caused vehicle not to exceed 5 MPH. *ak the brakes were making a loud noise, the air bag light was on, the left window was acting erractically, the regulator had to be replaced, the rear view mirro was inoperative, all 4 door seals were leaking water, there was a shimmy in the steering wheel, the shift indicator strip was out of poistion, the trim around the windshield was loose for the second time, there was a noise coming from the exhaust due to the shiled on the midpipe being loose.

Filed Jun 25, 2002 · Airbags, Suspension · NC · crash

Airbag light has been on since january 2002. Dealer found no problem. Then on may 15 2002 consumer hit a mailbox at 45 MPH, and neither airbag deployed. $ 4500.00 damage to vehicle. *ak the consumer replace front tires several times possible suspension problem.

Filed Feb 25, 2002 · Airbags · OH

The air bag light keeps coming on. It has been in the shop 5 times to correct this problem. They don't know what is causing this, but they say it is safe to drive. I,m not so sure about that.

Filed Aug 31, 2001 · Airbags · CA

Air bag light kept flashing on/off before remaining on. Would also came on, and then went off on its own. Been to dealership at least 6 times, and mechanic indicated repair was done. However, problem reappeared.